Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Working together to reduce the risk of flooding

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Monday 22 September 2008

A flood fair is being held in Wantage on Tuesday 7 October as part of a Thames Valley wide campaign to help promote awareness about flooding prevention.

The event, which is being held at the Civic Hall from 3-8pm, will feature a range of flood protection ideas, products and services.

Anyone who has been affected by flooding, or is worried that their house or business may be at risk, will be able to pick up lots of advice ranging from how to reduce damage to their property to how to stay safe during a flood.

At the flood fair people will also be able to:

• Check if their home or business is in a flood risk area
• Find out about flood warning services and how they can sign up
• Get advice on practical steps to protect homes from flooding
• Pick up a range of information and check out useful websites
• Examine the range of flood defence devices they can buy
• Develop their own home or business flood plan

The flood fair has been organised as part of the Thames Valley Flood Awareness month, which is running throughout October across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The campaign is supported by a range of agencies involved in dealing with floods including local Councils, the Environment Agency, the National Flood Forum, Thames Valley Police and Fire and Rescue services.

As well as helping to organise the flood fair in Wantage, the Vale of White Horse District Council will also have flood prevention displays and information available in its Local Services Points in Abbey House, Abingdon, and at Grove Street, Wantage.

Cllr Tony de Vere, leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "We are looking at ways we can help to prevent flood damage but we also want to encourage people to do what they can themselves. This is because the Council has only limited resources to cope with emergency demands, even when working in partnership with other organisations.

"The flood fair held in Abingdon earlier this year was very well attended and I know that a lot of people found it really useful. This is such a good opportunity for people to find out what's on offer to help prevent or minimise flood damage to their homes.

"If you have been flooded before, or are worried about the risk, please come along to this event to find out what practical steps you can take."

Mary Dhonau of the National Flood Forum said: "The fairs will offer local residents who have suffered from the heartbreak of flooding the chance to talk about their experience with people who know just what it's like.

"At the same time, we will have a number of manufacturers and suppliers with flood protection products at the event who will exhibit their ideas, and be on hand to discuss the ways in which those affected by the recent floods could reduce the impact if they are flooded in the future."

Helen Green, flood awareness campaign coordinator for the Environment Agency, said: "We are really pleased to be able to support these events. Working with the National Flood Forum to run fairs like these gives residents an idea of some of the products available out there which may protect their homes during events such as those we experienced last summer."

Notes to editors

The National Flood Forum is a not-for-profit community network formed by people who have experienced the trauma, loss and frustration caused by flooding. It is dedicated to helping all those at risk to cope with their situation and then to reduce the probability and consequences of flooding to homes and businesses. For more information visit the website at www.floodforum.org.uk

• Related pages
• Flooding